Expansion device and refrigeration cycle apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is an expansion device configured to form a refrigerant circuit using refrigerant containing a substance having such a property as to cause a disproportionation reaction, the expansion device including: a valve body having a cylindrical shape; and an expansion unit including a valve seat, the expansion unit being configured to vary an opening area by insertion of the valve body into the valve seat through movement of the valve body in an axial direction thereof, in which: a distal end portion of the valve body to be inserted into the expansion unit is formed to have an angle larger than 0 from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an expansion device and the like to beused for a refrigeration cycle apparatus such as an air-conditioningapparatus to be applied to, for example, a multi-air-conditioningapparatus for a building.

BACKGROUND ART

In a refrigeration cycle apparatus configured to form a refrigerantcircuit configured to circulate refrigerant therethrough so as toperform air-conditioning and other operations, like amulti-air-conditioning apparatus for a building, R410A that isincombustible, R32 having low combustibility, or a highly combustiblesubstance containing hydrogen and carbon, such as propane, is used asthe refrigerant. When being released into atmosphere, theabove-mentioned substances are decomposed in the atmosphere to turn intodifferent substances with different time lengths. In the refrigerationcycle apparatus, however, the above-mentioned substances have highstability and therefore can be used as the refrigerant for a period oftime as long as to several tens of years.

In contrast, some of the substances each containing hydrogen and carbonare poor in stability even in a refrigeration cycle apparatus and henceare each hardly used as refrigerant. Those substances poor in stabilityare, for example, substances each having such a property as to cause adisproportionation reaction. The term “disproportionation” refers to theproperty by which substances of the same kind react with each other tochange into another substance. For example, when certain strong energyis applied to refrigerant under a state in which a distance betweenadjacent substances is extremely small, such as a liquid state, theenergy causes a disproportionation reaction and hence the adjacentsubstances react with each other to change into another substance. Whenthe disproportionation reaction occurs, heat generation occurs to causean abrupt increase in temperature and hence an abrupt increase inpressure may occur. For example, when a substance having such a propertyas to cause a disproportionation reaction is used as the refrigerant ofa refrigeration cycle apparatus, and is enclosed in a pipe made ofcopper or the like, the pipe cannot completely withstand an increase inpressure of the refrigerant therein and hence an accident, such as piperupture, may occur. For example, 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) oracetylene has been known as the substance having such a property as tocause a disproportionation reaction.

In addition, there exists a heat cycle system (refrigeration cycleapparatus) using 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) as a working mediumfor a heat cycle (for example, Patent Literature 1).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: International Patent WO 12/157764A (page 3, page12, FIG. 1, etc.)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus such as the thermal cycle systemdisclosed in Patent Literature 1, 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) isdisclosed to be used as a working medium for a thermal cycle. Here,1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) is a substance having such a propertyas to cause a disproportionation reaction. When the substance havingsuch a property as to cause a disproportionation reaction is used as therefrigerant as it is, the adjacent substances may react with each otherto turn into a different substance due to some energy at a locationwhere the substance in a liquid state is present, such as a liquid or atwo-phase substance, in which a distance between the adjacent substancesis extremely small, failing to function as the refrigerant. In addition,there is a fear that an accident, e.g., pipe rupture may occur due to asudden pressure rise. Therefore, there is a problem in that, for the useas the refrigerant, the substance having such a property as to cause adisproportionation reaction needs to be used so as not to cause thedisproportionation reaction. Therefore, efforts to prevent occurrence ofthe disproportionation reaction are required. However, in PatentLiterature 1, for example, there is no disclosure of a method forrealizing an apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of thedisproportionation reaction and the like.

The present invention has been made to solve the problem describedabove, and provides an expansion device having a structure in whichenergy received externally by refrigerant is reduced, and the like.

Solution to Problem

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan expansion device configured to form a refrigerant circuit usingrefrigerant containing a substance having such a property as to cause adisproportionation reaction, the expansion device including: a valvebody having a cylindrical shape; and an expansion unit including a valveseat, the expansion unit being configured to vary an opening area byinsertion of the valve body into the valve seat through movement of thevalve body in an axis direction thereof, in which a distal end portionof the valve body to be inserted into the expansion unit is formed tohave an angle larger than 0 from a direction perpendicular to the axialdirection of the valve body. Collision energy generated when therefrigerant flows into the expansion device can be reduced. Thus, thesubstance having such a property as to cause a disproportionationreaction can be used safely as the refrigerant.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the expansion device of the one embodiment of the present invention,the shape or direction of the outlet of an inflow pipe is devised toreduce collision energy at the time of collision between refrigerant andthe inner wall surface of a vessel in the vessel. Accordingly, there canbe obtained an expansion device that prevents, for example, theoccurrence of an accident, such as pipe rupture in which a substancehaving such a property as to cause a disproportionation reaction, suchas 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123), causes a disproportionationreaction to be unable to be used as refrigerant, and hence that enablesthe substance to be safely used as refrigerant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view for illustrating an example of installationof a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the refrigeration cycleapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the refrigeration cycleapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present inventionduring a cooling operation.

FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram of the refrigeration cycleapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present inventionduring a heating operation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a configuration of an expansion device ofthe refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another configuration of the expansiondevice of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycleapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to embodiments of thepresent invention is described referring to the drawings. In thedrawings referred to below including FIG. 1, components denoted by thesame reference symbols correspond to the same or equivalent components.This is common throughout the embodiments described below. Further, theforms of the components described herein are merely examples, and thecomponents are not limited to the forms described herein. In particular,the combinations of the components are not limited to only thecombinations in each embodiment, and the components described in anotherembodiment may be applied to still another embodiment. Further, unlessotherwise necessary to be distinguished or specified, a plurality ofdevices of the same type or other components, which are distinguishedfrom one another by suffixes or in another way, may be described withoutthe suffixes. Further, the upper part and the lower part of the drawingsare referred to as “upper side” and “lower side”, respectively. Further,in the drawings, the size relationship between the components may bedifferent from the actual size relationship. In addition, a high-and-lowrelationship or other relationships of temperature, pressure, or otherfactors are not determined in relation to particular absolute values,but are determined in a relative manner based on a state, an operation,or other factors of systems, devices, or other conditions.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention is described referring tothe drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view for illustrating an example ofinstallation of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. The refrigeration cycle apparatusillustrated in FIG. 1 is configured to form a refrigerant circuitconfigured to circulate refrigerant therethrough to use a refrigerationcycle with the refrigerant, thereby being capable of selecting any oneof a cooling mode and a heating mode as an operation mode. Here, anair-conditioning apparatus configured to air-condition a space to beair-conditioned (indoor space 7) is described as an example of therefrigeration cycle apparatus according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to thisembodiment includes one outdoor unit 1 serving as a heat sourceapparatus, and a plurality of indoor units 2. The outdoor unit 1 and theindoor units 2 are connected to each other by extension pipes(refrigerant pipes) 4 through which the refrigerant is conveyed. Coolingenergy or heating energy generated by the outdoor unit 1 is delivered tothe indoor units 2.

The outdoor unit 1 is generally arranged in an outdoor space 6, which isa space outside of a construction 9 such as a building (for example, ona rooftop), and is configured to supply the cooling energy or heatingenergy to the indoor units 2. The indoor units 2 are arranged atpositions at which temperature-adjusted air can be supplied to an indoorspace 7 being a space inside the construction 9 (for example,residential room), and are configured to supply cooling air or heatingair to the indoor space 7 being a space to be air-conditioned.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus accordingto this embodiment, the outdoor unit 1 and each of the indoor units 2are connected by the two extension pipes 4.

In FIG. 1, an example of a case where the indoor unit 2 is a ceilingcassette type indoor unit is illustrated, but the present invention isnot limited thereto. Any types of the indoor unit such as aceiling-concealed indoor unit or a ceiling-suspended indoor unit may beadopted as long as heating air or cooling air can be blown into theindoor space 7 directly or through a duct or other means.

In FIG. 1, an example of a case where the outdoor unit 1 is installed inthe outdoor space 6 is illustrated, but the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the outdoor unit 1 may be installed in anenclosed space such as a machine room with a ventilation port.Alternatively, the outdoor unit 1 may be installed inside theconstruction 9 as long as waste heat is exhaustible to the outside ofthe construction 9 through an exhaust duct. Further, when a water-cooledoutdoor unit 1 is adopted, the outdoor unit 1 may be installed insidethe construction 9. No particular problem may arise even if the outdoorunit 1 is installed at any place.

Further, the numbers of the outdoor units 1 and the indoor units 2 to beconnected are not limited to the numbers as illustrated in FIG. 1, butmay be determined depending on the construction 9 in which therefrigeration cycle apparatus according to this embodiment is installed.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram for illustrating an example ofa circuit configuration of the refrigeration cycle apparatus accordingto the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “refrigeration cycleapparatus 100”). Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed configuration of therefrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is described. As illustrated in FIG.2, the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor units 2 are connected to each otherby the extension pipes (refrigerant pipes) 4 through which therefrigerant flows.

[Outdoor Unit 1]

In the outdoor unit 1, a compressor 10, a first refrigerant flowswitching device 11 such as a four-way valve, a heat source-side heatexchanger 12, and an accumulator 19 are mounted in a serial connectionby the refrigerant pipes.

The compressor 10 is configured to suck the refrigerant, and compressthe refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state. Forexample, the compressor 10 may be a capacity-controllable invertercompressor or other components. The first refrigerant flow switchingdevice 11 is configured to switch a flow of the refrigerant during aheating operation and a flow of the refrigerant during a coolingoperation. The heat source-side heat exchanger 12 functions as anevaporator during the heating operation and functions as a condenser (ora radiator) during the cooling operation. Further, the heat source-sideheat exchanger 12 serving as a first heat exchanger is configured toexchange heat between air supplied from a fan (not shown) and therefrigerant, thereby evaporating and gasifying the refrigerant orcondensing and liquefying the refrigerant. The heat source-side heatexchanger 12 functions as a condenser during an operation of cooling theindoor space 7, and functions as an evaporator during an operation ofheating the indoor space 7. The accumulator 19 is mounted on a suctionside of the compressor 10 and configured to accumulate surplusrefrigerant in the refrigerant circuit, which is generated due to achange in operation mode or the like.

The outdoor unit 1 includes the compressor 10, the first refrigerantflow switching device 11, the heat source-side heat exchanger 12, theaccumulator 19, a high-pressure detection device 37, a low-pressuredetection device 38, and a controller 60. Further, as the compressor 10,for example, a compressor having a low-pressure shell structureincluding a compression chamber defined inside a hermetic containerplaced under a low-refrigerant pressure atmosphere so as to suck andcompress low-pressure refrigerant in the hermetic container or acompressor having a high-pressure shell structure including a hermeticcontainer placed under a high-refrigerant pressure atmosphere so as todischarge high-pressure refrigerant compressed in a compression chamberinto the hermetic container is used. Further, the outdoor unit 1includes the controller 60 configured to control the devices based oninformation detected by various detection devices, an instruction from aremote controller, and the like. For example, a driving frequency of thecompressor 10, a rotation speed (including ON/OFF) of a fan, switchingof the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 are controlled toexecute each of the operation modes described later. Here, thecontroller 60 according to this embodiment is, for example, amicrocomputer including a control arithmetic processing unit such as acentral processing unit (CPU). Further, the controller 60 includes astorage unit (not shown) having data containing, as programs, aprocessing procedure relating to the control and other operations. Then,the control arithmetic processing unit executes the processing based onthe data of the program to realize the control.

[Indoor Unit 2]

Each of the indoor units 2 includes a load-side heat exchanger 15mounted therein, serving as a second heat exchanger. The load-side heatexchanger 15 is connected to the outdoor unit 1 by the extension pipes4. The load-side heat exchanger 15 is configured to exchange heatbetween air supplied from a fan (not shown) and the refrigerant so thatheating air or cooling air to be supplied to the indoor space 7 isgenerated. The load-side heat exchangers 15 function as condensersduring the operation of heating the indoor space 7 and function asevaporators during the operation of cooling the indoor space 7.

In FIG. 2, an example of a case where four indoor units 2 are connectedis illustrated, and the four indoor units are illustrated as an indoorunit 2 a, an indoor unit 2 b, an indoor unit 2 c, and an indoor unit 2d, respectively, in the stated order from the bottom of the drawingsheet. Further, corresponding to the indoor units 2 a to 2 d, therespective load-side heat exchangers 15 are illustrated as a load-sideheat exchanger 15 a, a load-side heat exchanger 15 b, a load-side heatexchanger 15 c, and a load-side heat exchanger 15 d in the stated orderfrom the bottom of the drawing sheet as well. Similarly to FIG. 1, thenumber of the indoor units 2 to be connected is not limited to four asillustrated in FIG. 2.

Each of the operation modes to be executed by the refrigeration cycleapparatus 100 is described. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 isconfigured to determine the operation mode of the outdoor unit 1 as anyone of a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode based on aninstruction from each indoor unit 2. That is, the refrigeration cycleapparatus 100 is capable of performing the same operation (coolingoperation or heating operation) among all the indoor units 2 to adjustthe indoor temperature. Running and idling of each indoor unit 2 may beswitched freely in any of the cooling operation mode and the heatingoperation mode.

The operation modes to be executed by the refrigeration cycle apparatus100 include the cooling operation mode in which all the running indoorunits 2 execute the cooling operation (including idling), and theheating operation mode in which all the running indoor units 2 executethe heating operation (including idling). Now, each of the operationmodes is described with the flows of the refrigerant.

[Cooling Operation Mode]

FIG. 3 is a refrigerant circuit diagram for illustrating the flow of therefrigerant during the cooling operation mode of the refrigeration cycleapparatus 100 when discharge temperature is low. In FIG. 3, the coolingoperation mode is described taking as an example a case where a coolingload is generated in all the load-side heat exchangers 15. In FIG. 3,the pipes indicated by the thick lines are the pipes through which therefrigerant flows. A direction of the flow of the refrigerant isindicated by the solid arrows.

In the case of the cooling operation mode illustrated in FIG. 3, thefirst refrigerant flow switching device 11 in the outdoor unit 1 isswitched so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flowsinto the heat source-side heat exchanger 12. Low-temperature andlow-pressure refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 10 anddischarged as high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. Thehigh-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 10 flows into the heat source-side heat exchanger 12 throughthe first refrigerant flow switching device 11. Then, after thehigh-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed andliquefied into high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the heat source-sideheat exchanger 12 while rejecting heat to the outdoor air, thehigh-pressure liquid refrigerant flows out of the outdoor unit 1.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor unit 1passes through the extension pipe 4 to flow into each of the indoorunits 2 (2 a to 2 d). The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing intothe indoor units 2 (2 a to 2 d) flows into an expansion devices 16 (16 ato 16 d) to be expanded and depressurized into low-temperature andlow-pressure two-phase refrigerant by the expansion devices 16 (16 a to16 d). Further, the refrigerant flows into each of the load-side heatexchangers 15 (15 a to 15 d) functioning as an evaporator. Therefrigerant flowing into the load-side heat exchangers 15 takes awayheat from air flowing around the load-side heat exchangers 15 to turninto low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, thelow-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the indoorunits 2 (2 a to 2 d), and passes through the extension pipe 4 to flowinto the outdoor unit 1 again. Then, the refrigerant passes through thefirst refrigerant flow switching device 11, and is then sucked into thecompressor 10 again through the accumulator 19.

At this time, an opening degree (opening area) of each of the expansiondevices 16 a to 16 d is controlled so that a temperature difference(degree of superheat) between a temperature detected by a load-side heatexchanger gas refrigerant temperature detection device 28 and anevaporation temperature transmitted from the controller 60 of theoutdoor unit 1 to a controller (not shown) of each of the indoor units 2approximates a target value.

When the cooling operation mode is executed, the refrigerant is notrequired to be controlled to flow into the load-side heat exchanger 15without a heat load (including a thermostat-off state), and hence theoperation is stopped. At this time, the expansion device 16corresponding to the idle indoor unit 2 is fully dosed or set at a smallopening degree for preventing the flow of refrigerant.

[Heating Operation Mode]

FIG. 4 is a refrigerant circuit diagram for illustrating a flow ofrefrigerant during the heating operation mode of the refrigeration cycleapparatus 100. In FIG. 4, the heating operation mode is described takingas an example a case where a heating load is generated in all of theload-side heat exchangers 15. In FIG. 4, the pipes indicated by thethick lines are the pipes through which the refrigerant flows, anddirections of the flows of refrigerant are indicated by the solidarrows.

In the case of the heating operation mode illustrated in FIG. 4, thefirst refrigerant flow switching device 11 in the outdoor unit 1 isswitched so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 iscontrolled to flow into the indoor units 2 without passing through theheat source-side heat exchanger 12. Low-temperature and low-pressurerefrigerant is compressed into high-temperature and high-pressure gasrefrigerant by the compressor 10 to be discharged from the compressor10. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant passesthrough the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 to flow out ofthe outdoor unit 1.

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out ofthe outdoor unit 1 passes through the extension pipe 4 to flow into eachof the indoor units 2 (2 a to 2 d). The high-temperature andhigh-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the indoor units 2 (2 a to 2d) flows into each of the load-side heat exchangers 15 (15 a to 15 d),and is condensed and liquefied into high-temperature and high-pressureliquid refrigerant while rejecting heat to air flowing around theload-side heat exchangers 15 (15 a to 15 d). The high-temperature andhigh-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the load-side heatexchangers 15 (15 a to 15 d) flows into the expansion devices 16 (16 ato 16 d) to be expanded and depressurized into low-temperature andlow-pressure two-phase refrigerant by the expansion devices 16 (16 a to16 d), and flows out of the indoor units 2 (2 a to 2 d). Thelow-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flowing out ofthe indoor units 2 passes through the extension pipe 4 to flow into theoutdoor unit 1 again.

At this time, the opening degree (opening area) of each of the expansiondevices 16 a to 16 d is controlled so that a temperature difference(degree of subcooling) between a condensing temperature transmitted fromthe controller 60 of the outdoor unit 1 to a controller (not shown) ofeach of the indoor units 2 and a temperature detected by a load-sideheat exchanger liquid refrigerant temperature detection device 27approximates a target value.

The low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flowing intothe outdoor unit 1 flows into the heat source-side heat exchanger 12 andtakes away heat from air flowing around the heat source-side heatexchanger 12 to be evaporated into low-temperature and low-pressure gasrefrigerant or low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerantwith high quality. The low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerantor two-phase refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 10 again throughthe first refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the accumulator 19.

When the heating operation mode is executed, the refrigerant is notrequired to be controlled to flow into the load-side heat exchanger 15without a heat load (including a thermostat-off state). When theexpansion device 16 corresponding to the load-side heat exchanger 15without a heating load is fully closed or is set to a small openingdegree for preventing the flow of refrigerant in the heating operationmode, however, the refrigerant is cooled and condensed inside the idleload-side heat exchanger 15 by ambient air so that the refrigerant maystagnate, resulting in shortage of refrigerant in the entire refrigerantcircuit. Therefore, during the heating operation, the opening degree(opening area) of the expansion device 16 corresponding to the load-sideheat exchanger 15 without a heat load is set to a large opening degree,for example, is fully opened, thereby preventing the stagnation ofrefrigerant.

Further, a four-way valve is generally used for the first refrigerantflow switching device 11. However, the refrigerant flow switching device11 is not limited thereto. A plurality of two-way passage switchingvalves or a plurality of three-way passage switching valves may be usedso that the refrigerant flows in the same way.

Further, although the case where the accumulator 19 configured toaccumulate the surplus refrigerant is included in the refrigerantcircuit is described herein, the accumulator 19 is not required to beprovided when the amount of surplus refrigerant is small as in a casewhere the extension pipes 4 are short, the number of indoor units 2 isone, or other cases.

As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 accordingto this embodiment, high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into theexpansion devices 16 (16 a to 16 d), of which low-temperature andlow-pressure two-phase refrigerant flows out. However, when the amountof refrigerant filling the refrigerant circuit is small, for example,the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser is sometimes in a two-phasestate. Further, in a multi-type air-conditioning apparatus including aplurality of indoor units 2 or other apparatus, the extension pipes 4tend to be long. In this case, the refrigerant is sometimes placed in atwo-phase state due to a pressure loss in the extension pipes 4 duringthe cooling operation. In such a case, the refrigerant in the two-phasestate corresponding to a mixed state of a gas and a liquid flows intothe expansion devices 16.

[Kinds of Refrigerant]

When a substance generally used as the refrigerant, such as R32 orR410A, is used as the refrigerant to be used in the refrigeration cycleapparatus 100, the substance may be used as it is without efforts toimprove stability of the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit. Inthis embodiment, however, a substance having such a property as to causea disproportionation reaction, such as 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene(HFO-1123) represented by C₂H₁F₃ and having one double bond in amolecular structure thereof, or a refrigerant mixture obtained by mixingthe substance having such a property as to cause a disproportionationreaction and another substance is used as the refrigerant. For example,a tetrafluoropropene represented by C₃H₂F₄ (such as HFO-1234yf that is2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene represented by CF₃CF═CH₂ or HFO-1234ze thatis 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene represented by CF₃CH═CHF) ordifluoromethane (HFC-32) represented by a chemical formula CH₂F₂ is usedas the substance to be mixed with the substance having such a propertyas to cause a disproportionation reaction for producing the refrigerantmixture. However, the substance is not limited thereto and HC-290(propane) or the like may be mixed. Any substance may be used as long asthe substance has such thermal performance as to be capable of beingused as the refrigerant of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, and anymixing ratio may be adopted.

Here, when some strong energy is applied to the substance having such aproperty as to cause a disproportionation reaction, in a state in whicha distance between the adjacent substances is extremely small, such asin a liquid state or a two-phase state, the adjacent substances mayreact with each other to turn into a different substance. Therefore,when the substance having such a property as to cause adisproportionation reaction is used as the refrigerant without anycountermeasures in the refrigerant circuit, the substance may not onlyturn into a different substance to fail to function as the refrigerantbut also cause an accident, e.g., pipe rupture due to a sudden pressurerise caused by heat generation. Therefore, in order to use the substancehaving such a property as to cause a disproportionation reaction as therefrigerant, efforts to prevent the occurrence of the disproportionationreaction are required at a location in the refrigerant circuit, at whichthe substance is in the liquid state or the two-phase statecorresponding to the mixed state of the gas and the liquid. Here, energygenerated when the refrigerant and a structure collide against eachother is a factor for the substance to cause the disproportionationreaction. Therefore, a structure of reducing the collision energyapplied to the refrigerant is provided to components of the refrigerantsuch that the possibility that the disproportionation reaction may occuris reduced.

[Expansion Device 16 (16 a to 16 d)]

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a configuration of the expansion device 16(16 a to 16 d) according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 5, the expansion device 16 includes a firstconnecting pipe 41, a second connecting pipe 42, an expansion unit 43, avalve body 44, and a motor 45. In FIG. 5, the solid arrows indicate adirection of flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation,whereas the dotted arrows indicate a direction of flow of therefrigerant during the cooling operation.

The first connecting pipe 41 is connected to a pipe on the extensionpipe 4 side. When the heat source-side heat exchanger 12 acts as theevaporator and the load-side heat exchanger 15 acts as the condenser,the first connecting pipe 41 functions as a refrigerant inflow-sidepipe. When the heat source-side heat exchanger 12 acts as the condenserand the load-side heat exchanger 15 acts as the evaporator, the firstconnecting pipe 41 functions as a refrigerant outflow-side pipe.Further, the second connecting pipe 42 is connected to a pipe on theload-side heat exchanger 15 side. When the heat source-side heatexchanger 12 acts as the evaporator and the load-side heat exchanger 15acts as the condenser, the second connecting pipe 42 functions as arefrigerant outflow-side pipe. When the heat source-side heat exchanger12 acts as the condenser and the load-side heat exchanger 15 acts as theevaporator, the second connecting pipe 42 functions as a refrigerantinflow-side pipe. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first connectingpipe 41 and the second pipe 42 are respectively arranged in directionsperpendicular to each other through the expansion unit 43 sandwichedtherebetween.

The expansion unit 43 including a valve seat is arranged between thefirst connecting pipe 41 and the second connecting pipe 42, and adjustsa flow of the refrigerant passing therethrough depending on a degree ofinsertion of the valve body 44 into an opening portion of the valve seatso as to reduce a pressure of the refrigerant. The valve body 44 ismovable and controls a flow rate of the refrigerant and a pressure ofthe refrigerant (throttling amount) passing through the expansion device16 in cooperation with the expansion unit 43. For the control, the valvebody 44 is moved to change a distance (positional relationship) betweenthe valve body 44 and the expansion unit 43 so as to change an area of agap (opening area) between the expansion unit 43 and the valve body 44,thereby changing and controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant andthe pressure of the refrigerant. The motor 45 moves the valve body 44based on an instruction from the controller 60 so as to adjust thedistance between the expansion unit 43 and the valve body 44. The motor45 is, for example, a stepping motor or the like.

As described above, during the cooling operation in which the load-sideheat exchanger 15 acts as the evaporator, high-pressure liquidrefrigerant flowing out of the outdoor unit 1 into the indoor unit 2flows from the second connecting pipe 42. In the expansion unit 43, thehigh-pressure liquid refrigerant is throttled and reduced in pressure bythe valve body 44 into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phaserefrigerant, which then flows out of the first connecting pipe 41 intothe load-side heat exchanger 15 (15 a to 15 d). At this time, a position(vertical position in FIG. 5) of the valve body 44 is controlled by themotor 45 to change the opening area between the expansion unit 43 andthe valve body 44, through which the refrigerant passes, therebycontrolling the amount of expansion of the refrigerant. Here, the valvebody 44 has, for example, a cylindrical (columnar) shape. With acylindrical shape, a sectional area remains unchanged when the valvebody 44 is moved in an axial direction of the valve body 44 whilerotating. Therefore, the valve body 44 having a cylindrical shape iseasy to use as the valve body 44 of the expansion device 16. Then, adirection of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 16through the first connecting pipe 41 and a direction of the refrigerantflowing out thereof through the second connecting pipe 42 areapproximately perpendicular to each other. During the cooling operation,the refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 16 from the secondconnecting pipe 42 comes into collision against the valve body 44 havinga cylindrical shape in a longitudinal direction (valve axis direction).When the refrigerant flows in the axial direction in a structure havinga cylindrical shape, the refrigerant collides against a circular portionat an axial end. At the collision between the refrigerant and thecircular portion of the valve body 44 at the axial end (a boundary(edge) portion between a side surface of the cylinder and a bottomsurface thereof), large collision energy is generated. Therefore, thereis a fear that, for the substance having such a property as to cause adisproportionation reaction in the refrigerant, the generation of largecollision energy may be a factor that causes the disproportionationreaction.

Meanwhile, as described above, during the heating operation in which theload-side heat exchanger 15 acts as the condenser, the high-pressureliquid refrigerant flowing out of the load-side heat exchanger 15 (15 ato 15 d) flows into the expansion device 16 through the first connectingpipe 41. In the expansion unit 43, the high-pressure liquid refrigerantis throttled and reduced in pressure by the valve body 44 intolow-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant, which then flowsout of the expansion device 16 through the second connecting pipe 42 toflow out of the indoor unit 2. At this time, the direction of therefrigerant flowing into the expansion device 16 through the firstconnecting pipe 41 and the direction of the refrigerant flowing outthereof through the second connecting pipe 42 are approximatelyperpendicular to each other. During the heating operation, therefrigerant comes into collision against the valve body 44 having thecylindrical shape in a lateral direction (circumferential direction). Itis well known that a disturbance component is generated in therefrigerant by a small amount when the refrigerant flows in the lateraldirection (circumferential direction) with respect to the structurehaving the cylindrical shape. Therefore, the disproportionation reactionof the refrigerant does not occur.

Thus, a distal end portion of the valve body 44 (bottom surface portionof the column of the valve body 44 on a flow side) is formed to have astructure (for example, a conical structure or the like) having aninclination at an angle θ larger than 0 (zero) with respect to adirection (lateral (horizontal) direction, circumferential direction inFIG. 5) perpendicular to the direction (longitudinal (vertical)direction, axial direction in FIG. 5) of flow of the refrigerant flowinginto the expansion device 16 through the second connecting pipe 42. Whenthe above-mentioned structure is provided to the valve body 44, thevalve body 44 has the inclination at the angle θ larger than 0 (zero)with respect to the direction of flow of the refrigerant. Therefore, thecollision energy generated between the refrigerant and the valve body 44is reduced correspondingly. As a result, the disproportionation reactionis unlikely to occur.

Here, the collision energy generated between the valve body 44 and therefrigerant is obtained by Expression (1).

[Math. 1]

COLLISION ENERGY=MASS OF REFRIGERANT×CHANGE IN FLOW SPEED OFREFRIGERANT=(MASS FLOW RATE OF REFRIGERANT×UNIT TIME)×CHANGE IN FLOWSPEED OF REFRIGERANT  (1)

In Expression (1), the change in flow speed of the refrigerant dependson the angle θ at the distal end portion of the valve body 44, and isexpressed by Expression (2).

[Math. 2]

CHANGE IN FLOW SPEED OF REFRIGERANT∝ cos(θ)  (2)

Specifically, the collision energy generated between the refrigerant andthe valve body 44 is proportional to Expression (2), and a decreasingrate of the collision energy is obtained by a difference from 1corresponding to a result of calculation of Expression (2), where θ is 0(zero). Thus, when the valve body 44 is formed to have the structurewith the angle θ having a value larger than 0 (zero) with respect to thedirection (circumferential direction) perpendicular to the axialdirection, the collision energy generated with the refrigerant isreduced. As a result, the disproportionation reaction unlikely occurs.Further, the degree of reduction of the collision energy, which isrequired to prevent the occurrence of the disproportionation reaction ofthe refrigerant, differs depending on a state (pressure and temperature)of the refrigerant, the flow speed of the refrigerant, and otherconditions. However, a great effect is obtained when the collisionenergy is reduced by 5% or larger as compared to collision energygenerated in related-art expansion devices. The effect of reducing thecollision energy by 5% can be obtained when the result of calculation ofExpression (2) is 0.95. At this time, θ is about 18 degrees. Therefore,when the angle θ with respect to the direction (circumferentialdirection) perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve body 44 isset to be equal to or larger than 18 degrees or larger, specifically,the valve body 44 is formed to have an opening angle of the cone of 144degrees or smaller, the effect of reducing the collision energy isincreased. An upper limit of the angle θ is not particularly defined aslong as the opening angle of the cone, which allows the opening area forthe refrigerant to be effectively varied between the expansion unit 43and the valve body 44, can be ensured (when the angle θ is too large,the functions as the expansion device cannot be fulfilled).

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another example of the configuration ofthe expansion device 16 (16 a to 16 d) according to the first embodimentof the present invention. Here, the structure of the distal end of thevalve body 44 of the expansion device 16 (16 a to 16 d) is not limitedto that having the conical shape, and may also be a polyhedralstructure. For example, it is only necessary that a large part of thedistal end of the valve body 44 have the inclination at the angle θlarger than 0 (zero) with respect to the direction (circumferentialdirection) perpendicular to the direction of flow of the refrigerantflowing into the expansion device 16 through the second connecting pipe42. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a part of the valve body 44 may have adisc-like shape (truncated conical shape) perpendicular to the flow. Inthis case, it is only necessary that a portion having the inclination atthe angle θ larger than 0 (zero) with respect to the direction(circumferential direction) perpendicular to the direction of flow ofthe refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 16 through the secondconnecting pipe 42 occupy 50% or larger of the sectional area of thevalve body 44 in the circumferential direction.

Further, although the stepping motor or another member is used as themotor 45 of the expansion device 16 as described above, the motor 45 isnot limited thereto. When the stepping motor is used as the motor 45,the valve body 44 is moved vertically while rotating, thereby varyingthe opening area. In a case where the vertical movement is made duringthe rotation, when the conical structure is provided to the axial end ofthe valve body 44, the shape is not changed along with the rotation.Therefore, it is easy to control the opening area. Further, there are adirect acting type expansion device configured to directly drive thevalve body 44 by the motor 45 and a gear type expansion device includinga gear provided between the motor 45 and the valve body 44. The presentinvention is applicable to both the types, and the same effects areobtained thereby.

The case is described where the refrigerant flows into the expansiondevice 16 through the first connecting pipe 41 and flows out thereofthrough the second connecting pipe 42 during the heating operation andflows into the expansion device 16 through the second connecting pipe 42and flows out thereof through the first connecting pipe 41 during thecooling operation. It is apparent that the functions as the expansiondevice 16 are not impaired even when each of the direction of flow ofthe refrigerant during the cooling operation and that during the heatingoperation is the opposite direction. Therefore, the refrigerant may becaused to flow in any of the directions. In both the cases, as long asthe direction of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 16during the cooling operation and that during the heating operation areopposite to each other, the refrigerant flows into the expansion device16 through the second connecting pipe 42 during any of the coolingoperation and the heating operation. Therefore, the same effects areobtained.

Further, as described above, not the high-pressure liquid refrigerantbut the high-pressure two-phase refrigerant sometimes flows into theexpansion device 16. The two-phase refrigerant is refrigerant containinga mixture of refrigerant in the form of gas and refrigerant in the formof liquid. The occurrence of the disproportionation reaction is requiredto be prevented even for the liquid refrigerant contained in thetwo-phase refrigerant. Hence, the use of the same structure iseffective.

Further, the case is described where the first connecting pipe 41 andthe second connecting pipe 42 are arranged in the directionsperpendicular to each other and the direction of flow during the coolingoperation and the direction of flow during the heating operation aremade opposite to each other. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto. The operation state of this refrigeration cycleapparatus only needs to include an operation state in which therefrigerant flows into the expansion device 16 through the secondconnecting pipe 42 so that the refrigerant flows into the expansiondevice 16 in the axial direction of the valve body 44. Thus, the secondconnecting pipe 42 may continuously function as an inflow pipe. Further,the passage of the refrigerant may be formed to extend in a directionthat is not perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve body 44after the passage around the valve body 44. It is apparent that the flowof the refrigerant may be first directed in the direction perpendicularto the axial direction of the valve body 44 after the passage around thevalve body 44 and then further changed so that the first connecting pipe41 is directed in a direction parallel to the second connecting pipe 42.

[Extension Pipes 4]

As described above, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according tothis embodiment has some operation modes. In those operation modes, therefrigerant flows through the extension pipes 4 configured to connectthe outdoor unit 1 and the indoor units 2 to each other.

Although the high-pressure detection device 37 and the low-pressuredetection device 38 are installed so as to control a high pressure and alow pressure in the refrigeration cycle to target values, a temperaturedetection device configured to detect the saturation temperature may beprovided instead.

Further, although the four-way valve is used for the first refrigerantflow switching device 11, the first refrigerant flow switching device 11is not limited thereto. A plurality of two-way passage switching valvesor a plurality of three-way passage switching valves may be used so thatthe refrigerant flows in the same way.

Further, the fans are generally mounted on the heat source-side heatexchanger 12 and the load-side heat exchangers 15 a to 15 d, and thecondensation or evaporation is promoted by sending air in many cases,but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, panelheaters utilizing radiation or other such devices may be used as theload-side heat exchangers 15 a to 15 d, and a water-cooled device fortransferring heat with water or an antifreeze solution may also be usedas the heat source-side heat exchanger 12. Any heat exchangers may beused as long as the heat exchangers have a structure capable ofrejecting or taking away heat.

Further, although the case where the number of load-side heat exchangers15 a to 15 d is four is described as an example, any number of load-sideheat exchangers may be connected. In addition, a plurality of the indoorunits 1 may be connected to form a single refrigeration cycle.

Further, although the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 of the type forswitching the cooling and the heating in which the indoor units 2perform any one of the cooling operation and the heating operation isdescribed as an example, the refrigeration cycle apparatus is notlimited thereto. For example, the present invention is also applicableto a refrigeration cycle apparatus including the indoor units 2, eachcapable of arbitrarily selecting any one of the cooling operation andthe heating operation, so that a mixed operation with the indoor unit 2performing the cooling operation and the indoor unit 2 performing theheating operation can be performed as the entire system, and the sameeffects are obtained thereby.

Further, the present invention is also applicable to an air-conditioningapparatus such as a room air-conditioning apparatus to which only oneindoor unit 2 can be connected, a refrigeration apparatus to which ashowcase or a unit cooler is connected, and other apparatus. The sameeffects can be obtained as long as the refrigeration cycle apparatususes the refrigeration cycle.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention is described referring tothe drawings. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycleapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Therefrigeration cycle apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes theindoor unit 1 and a heat medium relay unit 3 connected by the extensionpipes 4 inside which the refrigerant flows through the load-side heatexchanger 15 a and the load-side heat exchanger 15 b included in theheat medium relay unit 3. Further, the heat medium relay unit 3 and theindoor units 2 are connected by pipes 5 inside which a heat medium suchas water or brine flows through the load-side heat exchanger 15 a andthe load-side heat exchanger 15 b.

Operation modes executed by the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100include a cooling only operation mode in which all the driven indoorunits 2 perform the cooling operation and a heating only operation modein which all the driven indoor units 2 perform the heating operation.Further, the operation modes also include a cooling main operation modeexecuted when a cooling load is larger and a heating main operation modeexecuted when a heating load is larger.

[Cooling Only Operation Mode]

In the case of the cooling only operation mode, high-temperature andhigh-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flowsinto the heat source-side heat exchanger 12 through the firstrefrigerant flow switching device 11, is condensed and liquefied intohigh-pressure liquid refrigerant while rejecting heat to circumambientair, and passes through a check valve 13 a to flow out of the outdoorunit 1. Then, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through theextension pipe 4 to flow into the heat medium relay unit 3. Therefrigerant flowing into the heat medium relay unit 3 passes through anopening and closing device 17 a and is expanded by the expansion devices16 a and 16 b into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phaserefrigerant. The two-phase refrigerant flows into each of the load-sideheat exchanger 15 a and the load-side heat exchanger 15 b, acting as theevaporator, to take away heat from the heat medium circulating through aheat medium circulation circuit B to turn into low-temperature andlow-pressure gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant flows out of the heatmedium relay unit 3 through a second refrigerant flow switching device18 a and a second refrigerant flow switching device 18 b. Then, the gasrefrigerant passes through the extension pipe 4 to flow into the outdoorunit 1 again. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 1 passesthrough a check valve 13 d to be sucked into the compressor 10 againthrough the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 and theaccumulator 19.

In the heat medium circulation circuit B, the heat medium is cooled withthe refrigerant in both the load-side heat exchanger 15 a and theload-side heat exchanger 15 b. The cooled heat medium is caused to flowinside the pipes 5 by pumps 21 a and 21 b. The heat medium flowing intouse-side heat exchangers 26 a to 26 d through second heat medium flowswitching devices 23 a to 23 d takes away heat from indoor air. Theindoor air is cooled to cool the indoor space 7. The refrigerant flowingout of the use-side heat exchangers 26 a to 26 d flows into heat mediumflow control devices 25 a to 25 d, passes through first heat medium flowswitching devices 22 a to 22 d to flow into the load-side heat exchanger15 a and the load-side heat exchanger 15 b so as to be cooled, and issucked into the pumps 21 a and 21 b again. The heat medium flow controldevices 25 a to 25 d corresponding to the use-side heat exchangers 26 ato 26 d without a heat load are fully closed. Further, the openingdegree of the heat medium flow control devices 25 a to 25 dcorresponding to the use-side heat exchangers 26 a to 26 d without aheat load is adjusted so as to control the heat load in the use-sideheat exchangers 26 a to 26 d.

[Heating Only Operation Mode]

In the case of the heating only operation mode, the high-temperature andhigh-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passesthrough the first connecting pipe 4 a and a check valve 13 b through thefirst refrigerant flow switching device 11 to flow out of the indoorunit 1. Then, the gas refrigerant passes through the extension pipe 4 toflow into the heat medium relay unit 3. The refrigerant flowing into theheat medium relay unit 3 passes through the second refrigerant flowswitching device 18 a and the second refrigerant flow switching device18 b to flow into each of the load-side heat exchanger 15 a and theload-side heat exchanger 15 b to turn into high-pressure liquidrefrigerant while rejecting heat to the heat medium circulating throughthe heat medium circulation circuit B. The high-pressure liquidrefrigerant is expanded by the expansion devices 16 a and 16 b intolow-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant, which thenpasses through an opening and closing device 17 b to flow out of theheat medium relay unit 3. Then, the low-temperature and low-pressuretwo-phase refrigerant passes through the extension pipe 4 to flow intothe outdoor unit 1 again. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit1 passes through a second connecting pipe 4 b and a check valve 13 c toflow into the heat source-side heat exchanger 12 acting as theevaporator to turn into low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerantwhile taking away heat from the circumambient air. The gas refrigerantis sucked into the compressor 10 again through the first refrigerantflow switching device 11 and the accumulator 19. An operation of theheat medium in the heat medium circulation circuit B is the same as thatin the cooling only operation mode. In the heating only operation mode,the heat medium is heated with the refrigerant in the load-side heatexchanger 15 a and the load-side heat exchanger 15 b and rejects heat tothe indoor air in the use-side heat exchanger 26 a and the use-side heatexchanger 26 b so as to heat the indoor space 7.

[Cooling Main Operation Mode]

In the case of the cooling main operation mode, the high-temperature andhigh-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flowsinto the heat source-side heat exchanger 12 through the firstrefrigerant flow switching device 11 and is condensed into the two-phaserefrigerant while rejecting heat to the circumambient air, which thenpasses through the check valve 13 a to flow out of the outdoor unit 1.Then, the two-phase refrigerant passes through the extension pipe 4 toflow into the heat medium relay unit 3. The refrigerant flowing into theheat medium relay unit 3 passes through the second refrigerant switchingdevice 18 b to flow into the load-side heat exchanger 15 b acting as thecondenser to turn into high-pressure liquid refrigerant while rejectingheat to the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulationcircuit B. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant is expanded by theexpansion device 16 b into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phaserefrigerant. The two-phase refrigerant flows into the load-side heatexchanger 15 a acting as the evaporator through the expansion device 16a to turn into low-pressure gas refrigerant while taking away heat fromthe heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation circuitB, which then flows out of the heat medium relay unit 3 through thesecond refrigerant flow switching device 18 a. Then, the low-pressuregas refrigerant passes through the extension pipe 4 to flow into theoutdoor unit 1 again. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 1passes through the check valve 13 d to be sucked into the compressor 10again through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 and theaccumulator 19.

In the heat medium circulation circuit B, heating energy of therefrigerant is transferred to the heat medium in the load-side heatexchanger 15 b. Then, the heated heat medium is caused to flow insidethe pipes 5 by the pump 21 b. The heat medium is caused to flow into theuse-side heat exchangers 26 a to 26 d, for which a heating request ismade, by operating the first heat medium flow switching devices 22 a to22 d and the second heat medium flow switching devices 23 a to 23 d, andrejects heat to the indoor air. The indoor air is heated to heat theindoor space 7. On the other hand, cooling energy of the refrigerant istransferred to the heat medium in the load-side heat exchanger 15 a.Then, the cooled heat medium is caused to flow through the pipes 5 bythe pump 21 a. The heat medium is caused to flow into the use-side heatexchangers 26 a to 26 d, for which a cooling request is made, byoperating the first heat medium flow switching devices 22 a to 22 d andthe second heat medium flow switching devices 23 a to 23 d, and takesaway heat from the indoor air. The indoor air is cooled to cool theindoor space 7. The heat medium flow control devices 25 a to 25 dcorresponding to the use-side heat exchangers 26 a to 26 d without aheat load are fully closed. Further, the opening degree of the heatmedium flow control devices 25 a to 25 d corresponding to the use-sideheat exchangers 26 a to 26 d with a heat load is adjusted so as tocontrol a heat load in the use-side heat exchangers 26 a to 26 d.

[Heating Main Operation Mode]

In the case of the heating main operation mode, the high-temperature andhigh-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flowsthrough the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 and then passesthrough the first connecting pipe 4 a and the check valve 13 b to flowout of the outdoor unit 1. Then, the high-temperature and high-pressuregas refrigerant passes through the extension pipe 4 to flow into theheat medium relay unit 3. The refrigerant flowing into the heat mediumrelay unit 3 passes through the second refrigerant switching device 18 bto flow into the load-side heat exchanger 15 b acting as the condenserto turn into high-pressure liquid refrigerant while rejecting heat tothe heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation circuitB. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant is expanded by the expansiondevice 16 b into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant.The two-phase refrigerant flows into the load-side heat exchanger 15 aacting as the evaporator through the expansion device 16 a to take awayheat from the heat medium circulating through the heat mediumcirculation circuit B, and then flows out of the heat medium relay unit3 through the second refrigerant flow switching device 18 a. Then, thetwo-phase refrigerant passes through the extension pipe 4 to flow intothe outdoor unit 1 again. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit1 passes through the second connecting pipe 4 b and the check valve 13 cto flow into the heat-source side heat exchanger 12 acting as theevaporator to turn into low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerantwhile taking away heat from the circumambient air. The gas refrigerantis sucked into the compressor 10 again through the first refrigerantflow switching device 11 and the accumulator 19. An operation of theheat medium in the heat medium circulation circuit B and operations ofthe first heat medium flow switching devices 22 a to 22 d, the secondheat medium flow switching devices 23 a to 23 d, the heat medium flowswitching devices 25 a to 25 d, and the use-side heat exchangers 26 a to26 d are the same as those in the cooling main operation mode.

[Kinds of Refrigerant and Expansion Device 16 (16 a, 16 b)]

For kinds of refrigerant and the expansion devices 16 (16 a, 16 b),those having the configurations described in the first embodiment can beapplied. The same effects are obtained also in the refrigeration cycleapparatus 100 of this embodiment.

[Extension Pipe 4 and Pipe 5]

In each of the operation modes according to this embodiment, therefrigerant flows through the extension pipes 4 configured to connectthe indoor unit 1 and the heat medium relay unit 3, whereas the heatmedium such as water or the antifreeze solution flows through the pipes5 configured to connect the heat medium relay unit 3 and the indoorunits 2.

When the heating load and the cooling load are generated in a mixedmanner in the use-side heat exchangers 26, the first heat medium flowswitching device 22 and the second heat medium switching device 23corresponding to the use-side heat exchanger 26 performing the heatingoperation is switched to a flow connected to the load-side heatexchanger 15 b used for heating. Further, the first heat medium flowswitching device 22 and the second heat medium flow switching device 23corresponding to the use-side heat exchanger 26 performing the cooingoperation is switched to a flow connected to the load-side heatexchanger 15 a used for cooling. Therefore, each of the indoor units 2can freely perform the heating operation or the cooling operation.

The first heat medium flow switching devices 22 and the second heatmedium flow switching devices 23 may be any heating medium flowswitching devices such as a three-way valve capable of switching athree-way passage or a combination of two opening and closing valvescapable of opening and closing a two-way passage as long as the flow canbe switched. Further, a switching device such as a stepping-motor drivenmixing valve capable of changing a flow rate of the three-way passage, acombination of two switching devices such as electronic expansionvalves, each capable of changing a flow rate of the two-way passage, orthe like may be used as the first heat medium flow switching devices 22and the second head medium flow switching devices 23. Further, the heatmedium flow control devices 25 may be control valves other than thetwo-way valves, each having a three-way passage, so as to be installedtogether with a bypass pipe configured to bypass the use-side heatexchangers 26. Further, the heat medium flow control devices 25 arepreferably of stepping motor driven type capable of controlling the flowrate through the passage, and may be any of two-way valves and three-wayvalves having one closed end. Further, as the heat medium flow controldevices 25, those configured to open and close the two-way passage, suchas opening and dosing valves, may be used to repeat ON/OFF so as tocontrol an average flow rate.

Further, although each of the first refrigerant flow switching device 11and the second refrigerant flow switching devices 18 is described as thefour-way valve, those devices are not limited thereto. A plurality oftwo-way switching valves or three-way switching valves may be used sothat the refrigerant flows in the same manner.

Further, it is apparent that the same effects are obtained even whenonly one use-side heat exchanger 26 and only one heat medium flowcontrol device 25 are connected. Further, it is apparent that no problemarises even when a plurality of the load-side heat exchangers 15performing the same operation and a plurality of the expansion devices16 performing the same operation are installed. Further, although thecase where the heat medium flow control devices 25 are built in the heatmedium relay unit 3 is described, the heat medium flow control devices25 are not limited thereto. The heat medium flow control devices 25 maybe built in the indoor units 2, and the heat medium relay unit 3 and theindoor units 2 may be formed independently of each other.

As the heating medium, for example, brine (antifreeze solution), a mixedliquid of brine and water, a mixed liquid of water and an additivehaving a high anticorrosion effect, or the like can be used. Therefore,in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, even when the heat mediumleaks into the indoor space 7 through the indoor units 2, the heatmedium having high safety is used, which therefore contributes toimprovement of safety.

Further, the fans are generally mounted on the heat source-side heatexchanger 12 and the use-side heat exchangers 26 a to 26 d, and thecondensation or evaporation is promoted by sending air in many cases,but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, panelheaters utilizing radiation or other such devices may be used as theuse-side heat exchangers 26 a to 26 d. Further, a water-cooled devicefor transferring heat with water or an antifreeze solution may also beused as the heat source-side heat exchanger 12. Any heat exchangers maybe used as long as the heat exchangers have a structure capable ofrejecting or taking away heat.

Further, although the case where the number of use-side heat exchangers26 a to 26 d is four is described as an example, any number of use-sideheat exchangers may be connected. In addition, a plurality of the indoorunits 1 may be connected to form a single refrigeration cycle.

Further, although the case where the number of the load-side heatexchangers 15 a and 15 b is two is described, it is apparent that thenumber of load-side heat exchangers is not limited thereto. Any numberof load-side heat exchangers may be installed as long as the heat mediumcan be cooled and/or heated.

The number of each of the pumps 21 a and 21 b is not limited to one. Aplurality of pumps having a small capacity may be arranged in parallel.

Further, for the system in which the compressor 10, the four-way valve(first refrigerant flow switching device) 11, and the heat source-sideheat exchanger 12 are accommodated in the outdoor unit 1, the use-sideheat exchangers 26 configured to exchange heat between the air in thespace to be air-conditioned and the refrigerant are each accommodated inthe corresponding indoor units 2, the load-side heat exchangers 15 andthe expansion devices 16 are accommodated in the heat medium relay unit3, the outdoor unit 1 and the heat medium relay unit 3 are connected bythe extension pipes 4 to circulate the refrigerant therethrough, each ofthe indoor units 2 and the heat medium relay unit 3 are connected by aset of the two pipes 5 to circulate the heat medium therethrough, andheat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the heat medium in theload-side heat exchangers 15, the system capable of performing the mixedoperation by the indoor unit 2 performing the cooling operation and theindoor unit 2 performing the heating operation is described as anexample. However, the system is not limited thereto. For example, thepresent invention is also applicable to a system in which the outdoorunit 1 described in the first embodiment and the heat medium relay unit3 are combined so that the indoor units 2 perform only the coolingoperation or the heating operation, and the same effects are obtainedthereby.

Third Embodiment

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, thedevice configuration configured to suppress the collision energy of therefrigerant containing the substance having such a property as to causea disproportionation reaction is described for the expansion devices 16configured to form a main refrigerant circuit, through which a largeamount of refrigerant passes. However, the device configurationdescribed above is applied not only to the expansion devices 16 on themain refrigerant circuit. For example, the device configuration can alsobe applied to an expansion device installed on a bypass circuit includedin the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 heat source apparatus (outdoor unit) 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d indoor unit 34 extension pipe (refrigerant pipe) 4 a first connecting pipe 4 b secondconnecting pipe 5 pipe (heat medium pipe) 6 outdoor space 7 indoor space8 space other than outdoor space or indoor space, e.g., roof space 9construction, e.g., building 10 compressor 11 first refrigerant flowswitching device (four-way valve) 12 heat source-side heat exchanger 13a, 13 b, 13 c, 13 d check valve 15, 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d load-sideheat exchanger 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, 16 d expansion device 17 a, 17 bopening and closing device 18, 18 a, 18 b second refrigerant flowswitching device 19 accumulator 21 a, 21 b pump 22, 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22d first heat medium flow switching device 23, 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 dsecond heat medium flow switching device 25, 25 a, 25 b, 25 c, 25 d heatmedium flow control device 26, 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d use-side heatexchanger 27 load-side heat exchanger liquid refrigerant temperaturedetection device 28 load-side heat exchanger gas refrigerant temperaturedetection device 37 high-pressure detection device 38 low-pressuredetection device 41 first connecting pipe 42 second connecting pipe 43expansion unit 44 valve body 45 motor 60 controller 100 refrigerationcycle apparatus A refrigerant circulation circuit B heat mediumcirculation circuit

1. An expansion device configured to form part of a refrigerant circuitcirculating refrigerant, the expansion device comprising: a valve bodyhaving a cylindrical shape; and an expansion unit including a valveseat, the expansion unit being configured to vary an opening area,through which a refrigerant mixture containing HFO-1123 passes, byinsertion of the valve body into the valve seat through movement of thevalve body in a valve axis direction, wherein a distal end portion ofthe valve body to be inserted into the expansion unit is formed to havean angle larger than 0 from a direction perpendicular to the axialdirection of the valve body.
 2. The expansion device of claim 1, whereinthe distal end portion of the valve body has a conical shape or apolyhedral shape.
 3. The expansion device of claim 1, wherein the valvebody is moved while rotating to vary the opening area.
 4. The expansiondevice of claim 1, wherein the angle is equal to or larger than 18degrees.
 5. The expansion device of claim 1, wherein, when the angle isθ, cos(θ) is equal to or smaller than 0.95.
 6. (canceled)
 7. Arefrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising a compressor, a first heatexchanger, the expansion device of claim 1, and a second heat exchangerconnected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigerant circuit.
 8. Therefrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 7, wherein refrigerant in aliquid state or refrigerant in a two-phase state is caused to flow intothe expansion device.
 9. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 7,wherein the refrigerant circuit is configured so that a direction of therefrigerant flowing through the expansion device in a case where thesecond heat exchanger acts as a condenser and a direction of therefrigerant flowing through the expansion device in a case where thesecond heat exchanger acts as an evaporator are opposite to each other.10. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the expansiondevice has a structure in which an inflow direction of the refrigerantand an outflow direction of the refrigerant are approximatelyperpendicular to each other, and the refrigerant is caused to flow intothe expansion device in the axial direction of the valve body in any ofthe case where the second heat exchanger acts as the condenser and thecase where the second heat exchanger acts as the evaporator.
 11. Therefrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the expansion devicehas a structure in which an inflow direction of the refrigerant and anoutflow direction of the refrigerant are approximately perpendicular toeach other; and the refrigerant is caused to flow into the expansiondevice in the axial direction of the valve body when the second heatexchanger is caused to act as the evaporator and is caused to flow intothe expansion device in a direction perpendicular to the axial directionof the valve body when the second heat exchanger is caused to act as thecondenser.
 12. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising: a plurality of indoor units, each configured toair-condition a space to be air-conditioned; and one or a plurality ofoutdoor units.
 13. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 7,wherein: the expansion device and the second heat exchanger areaccommodated in each of a plurality of indoor units; and the refrigerantis caused to flow into the expansion device in a direction perpendicularto the axial direction of the valve body when the second heat exchangeris caused to act as the condenser.
 14. The refrigeration cycle apparatusof claim 7, wherein the expansion device and the second heat exchangerare accommodated in a heat medium relay unit installable as a bodyindependent of the one or a plurality of outdoor units and a pluralityof indoor units at a position away from the one or the plurality ofoutdoor units and the plurality of indoor units.